Columbus, Ohio – Team USA was tested for the first time in four games Monday. The Americans needed a second-half rally to complete preliminary play with 4-0 mark by topping Poland, 89-63, at the 2005 World University Games in Izmir, Turkey. Jessica Davenport, a junior center for Ohio State, was one of five Americans to score double figures as the U.S. outscored Poland 29-9 in the fourth period seal the win. Fellow Buckeye junior Brandie Hoskins (Dayton, Ohio/ Chaminade-Julienne) pitched in four points for Team USA.

With the win, the U.S. gained the top seed in Group B and will face Taiwan at 3:30 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday.

Poland matched Team USA at 20-20 after the first period and trailed by just three points at halftime at 38-35. Midway through the third quarter, a lay up by Poland put the U.S. down by one at 45-44, but the Americans retook the lead less than a minute later on a bucket by Seimone Agustus, the reigning Wade trophy winner from LSU. From that point, the U.S. never trailed en route to a 51-28 second-half advantage and the 89-63 win.

For the second consecutive outing, the Americans controlled the paint. U.S. post players contributed 37 points and helped the Americans gain a 44-21 rebounding advantage. The U.S. shot 54 percent (37-69) from the floor and held Poland to just 35 percent (22-63). Team USA was plagued by 26 turnovers, but forced Poland into 23 miscues.

Megan Duffty of Notre Dame was the top scorer for Team USA with 13 points and finished the game with seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. LSU’s Sylvia Fowles led the U.S. in rebounds for the second time in four game, gathering 13. Davenport (Columbus, Ohio/ Independence) collected four boards and finished the night 4-of-5 from the field.

Through four games, Davenport is the third-leading scorer on the team at 12.3 points per game and ranks second with 4.5 rebounds per contest. She has started all four games and is 20-for-30 from the field. Hoskins, who has started one game, has contributed 8.3 ppg and is tied for second on the squad with 11 assists.